BRIDGE-BUILDING

The lessons derived from the Cold War propose that more assets should be dedicated to cultural and educational exchanges. Such exchanges with Iran will uphold positive features of American society and help cultivate the good will of the Iranian people towards America.

The Iranian American community is in a unique position to help the citizens of Iran and the United States constructively engage with each other. PAAIA’s annual surveys have shown that U.S.-Iran relations are the single most important issue on the minds of Iranian Americans, and that many frequently travel to Iran and/or have relatives still living there. Furthermore, the evolving political climate in Iran, if it continues on its current path, puts the Iranian American diaspora in a much better position than in any prior period since 1979 to help the citizens of Iran and the United States constructively engage with each other.

Our core belief is that the more the people of Iran and the United States are exposed to each other, the greater the potential for mutual understanding and benefit. PAAIA will encourage constructive relations and enhance mutual understanding between the peoples of the United States and Iran. By carefully selecting issues that are both timely and able to make practical difference, PAAIA, through various forms of cultural and educational exchanges, can help increase understanding and dialogue between the peoples of Iran and the Unites States. PAAIA will focus on a small number of specific events and projects each year and will announce them as they are ready for public dissemination.